First, the islands of Spezzia and Ipsara were attacked,—­the latter being little more than a barren rock, but the abode of liberty.  It was poorly defended, and was unable to cope with the Turkish armada, having on board fifteen thousand disciplined troops.  Canaris advised a combat on the sea, but was overruled; and the consequences were fatal.  The island was taken and sacked, and all the inhabitants were put to the sword.  In addition to this great calamity, the spoil made by the victors was immense, including two hundred pieces of artillery and ninety vessels.  Canaris, however, contrived to escape in a boat, to pursue a victorious career with his fire-ships.  The Turkish and Egyptian fleets had effected a junction, consisting of one ship-of-the-line, twenty-five frigates, twenty-five corvettes, fifty brigs and schooners, and two hundred and forty transports, carrying eighty thousand soldiers and sailors and twenty-five hundred cannon.  To oppose this great armament, the Greek admiral Miaulis had only seventy sail, manned by five thousand sailors and carrying eight hundred guns.  In spite however of this disproportion of forces he advanced to meet the enemy, and dispersed it with a great Turkish loss of fifteen thousand men.  All that the Turks had gained was a barren island.

On the land the Turks had more successes; but these were so indecisive that they did not attempt to renew the siege of Missolonghi, and the campaign of 1824 closed with a great loss to the Mussulmans.  The little army and fleet of the Greeks had repelled one hundred and twenty thousand soldiers confident of success; but the population was now reduced to less than five hundred thousand, becoming feebler every day, and the national treasury was empty, while the whole country was a scene of desolation and misery.  And yet, strange to say, the Greeks continued their dissensions while on the very brink of ruin.  Stranger still, their courage was unabated.

The year 1825 opened with brighter prospects.  The rival chieftains, in view of the desperate state of affairs, at last united, and seemingly buried their jealousies.  A new loan was contracted in London of L2,000,000, and the naval forces were increased.

But the Turks also made their preparations for a renewed conflict, and Ibrahim Pasha felt himself strong enough to undertake the siege of Navarino, which fell into his hands after a brave resistance.  Tripolitza also capitulated to the Egyptian, and the Morea was occupied by his troops after several engagements.  After this the Greeks never ventured to fight in the open field, but only in guerilla bands, in mountain passes, and behind fortifications.